If it's just a 'toy' project, that's kind of DE-motivating. It should be useful, because then he can see the impact of a finished tool in a work environment providing real benefits to his co-workers. Some suggestions:

• Some kind of auto-updater for a web site. Maybe form-based/CGI. Put the data into a MySQL database and you've got most of LAMP all in one project.
• A Module that does something basic. Maybe as simple as moving files between servers. This will introduce him to Perl's version of OO and address portability issues.
• Installing Everything was a pain in the rumpus. You can baptize him by fire by having him set it up. (introduction to MySQL, XML, mod_perl, CGI, and how to deal with memory leaks).
• Maybe a news ticker for a web site. Depending on the source, this might be good for XML-Perl learning. Perl on the network.

These are just ideas, I'm sure you've often thought, 'Gee, I wish I had a script that did that automatically' but just didn't have the time to sit down and write. Now is a chance for you to get your tool and someone else to learn from it.

Start him on the path of use strict from the very beginning, (of course). I've found that books are good, in general, but only when they support me in completing a task. If the task is compelling, learning how to do it is easy.

oakbox

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